SSL delivers Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 to launch base in French Guiana

(8 August 2018 - SSL) SSL announced today that the multi-mission Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 communications satellite has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace.

The satellite has a contractual lifetime of 15 years, but actual life may be longer and it demonstrates SSL’s commitment to providing a high-performance platform for services that inform, entertain and connect people around the globe.

“The delivery of this multi-mission satellite is a strong reflection of SSL’s ability to collaborate as a trusted partner and deliver tailor-made, powerful solutions for complex business cases,” said Dario Zamarian, group president of SSL. “Now our team is working closely with Azercosmos, Intelsat, and Arianespace to prepare the satellite for launch.”

Azerspace-2 will help Azercosmos meet the growing demand for direct-to-home (DTH) television, government, and network services in Europe, Central and South Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is Azercosmos’ second telecommunications satellite, and will expand on the service currently available from Azerspace-1.

“Our collaboration with SSL and Intelsat has been very successful,” said Rashad Nabiyev, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Azercosmos. “This satellite will enhance our capacity, coverage, and service offerings to support growing demand for services and we look forward to its launch with great anticipation.”

For Intelsat, the satellite will provide continuity of service for the Intelsat 12 satellite, which was also built by SSL and was launched in 2000. At 45 degrees East longitude, it provides DTH platforms for Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat 38 will also provide connectivity for corporate networks and government applications in Africa.

“SSL has been a trusted manufacturing partner to Intelsat for many years,” said Stephen Spengler, chief executive officer of Intelsat. “The new Intelsat 38 satellite payload will enable our media customers to deliver enhanced service offerings across Central and Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific. It will also provide the broadband connectivity needed to support the services rendered by our corporate network and government customers operating in Africa.”

The satellite design is based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 satellite platform that provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and technology advances.

About SSL

SSL, based in Palo Alto, California, is a leading provider of advanced spacecraft systems, with broad expertise to support commercial and government satellite operators and innovative space missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, in-orbit servicing, space exploration, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for 60 years, SSL’s advanced product line includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and autonomous solutions for remote operations. SSL is a Maxar Technologies company (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR).

About Maxar Technologies

As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercial and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically-integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR.

About Azercosmos

Azercosmos is the premier satellite operator in the South Caucasus. Azerspace-1, the telecommunication satellite operated by Azercosmos, provides highly-reliable broadband and broadcast solutions to its customers in Europe, Africa, Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The satellite, to operate in orbit for at least 15 years, was launched in February 2013 and is equipped with 36 transponders: 24 in C-band and 12 in Ku-band at 46° East longitude. In December 2014, Azercosmos took over the rights to operate and commercialize Azersky, high resolution (1.5m imagery products) optical Earth observation satellite, and entered into the commercial business of Earth observation services, including Geo-Information services. Strategic development plans of the company include enhancing the coverage area and spectrum of services by launching the second telecommunications satellite Azerspace-2 at 45° East longitude in 2018.

About Intelsat

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live.